Rant: Crickets

[touringmandan]

What's the deal with this scenario? I list good parts at a fair price. I get some interested party, who makes a reasonable offer, but wants a shipping number. I pack the parts carefully, weigh and measure, and get a shipping quote. I give them all of this info, and then get NO response. Crickets.
Or conversely. I see a part that I need, make a full price offer with shipping covered, and then get NO response.
Are these just lonely people looking for inbox fodder? Why initiate a conversation and then walk off? WTF? A wise man once said "people who don't value their own time will never value yours".

[Matt Monson]

I dunno, but I’ve dealt with scenario 1 so. Any times I just guesstimate the shipping. I weigh the part, and take measure it, then enter a close enough box size into ups. Or better yet, I often list parts at a shipped price.

I’ve also had those very same ghosts come back months later asking if I still have the part. Usually this is when the thread clearly says “sold” on it. They don’t even go back to the ad and just start the PM conversation again. Those guys I just ignore.

[cabmandone]

Welcome to the wonderful world of sales!... where people have absolutely no respect for your time and don't give a second thought to having you waste that time.

A lot of times a seller will list something but not post when sold. I've had people leave a voicemail on a machine I didn't get pulled from an online ad. I still call to let the person know the machine is sold and apologize for it still being up. Some folks would just leave the guy hanging.

[Reno775]

Between the time wasters and scammers I don’t even look at used parts for sale anymore.

I have a bunch of g body body panels I kinda want to sell but am already dreading dealing with all the time wasters. If it turns into a hassle I may just give them to my buddy for his man cave.

[Matt Monson]

I use FB classifieds. And if someone is an arseclown, I just block them and disappear forever.

[Reno775]

I’m going to try fb and cl at a price that I hope sell themselves. Amongst the items are a hood deck lid, valance and wheels I don’t want to ship

[Matt Monson]

That’s the other advantage, it’s largely local. I’ve got a long nose conversion “kit” I’m thinking about selling. I’m not shipping fenders or deck lids either!!!

[NYNick]

I've been trying to sell stuff on FB too....non Porsche stuff.
Crickets.
At this point I might just either throw it away or try to donate it to Goodwill.

[Unobtanium-inc]

People always ask me, "Why do people sell you all their parts, rather than sell them all themselves?"

This is why, it sucks, it's a pain, and if you already have a job, you don't need this as another.

---Adam

[Reno775]

Scared straight. I just ran downstairs and took pictures of all parts. My stuff will be live by close of business tomorrow.

[75 911s]

^ haha

Well there are some obvious steps to take when listing. They should have a post history for one. If they have a low post history, it's worth trying to figure out who they are.

Start high, and then interested parties will contact you because they want the part. You automatically weed out the bargain swap meet time wasters. Make the transaction easy (sometimes I cover fees and shipping and I don't throw a hissy if they don't add the paypal fee when the ad says they should. I just cover it.

Pack the ever loving **** outta stuff. Don't skimp. Carriers DGAF. So the box has to be reinforced and padded really well.

Large objects - you only make money at a swap in bulk, or local. Shipping is a giant waste of time and money.

lastly, I buy a lot from the same people. There are a dozen really good sellers and I've bought multiple times from them. Some you get to know their parts style "high quality, bargain" "rare, expensive" "junk, cleaned off"

[touringmandan]

I have just sent the most recent "offender" an email. (we had been going back and forth on the Pelican IM system). He has a post count of over 150, and is overseas, so the shipping is high (which he knew, and it came in just under my "guesstimate"). Let's see if I get a response.

[touringmandan]

Hallelujah, the paypal came through. My faith in my fellow humans has been restored!!

[NYNick]

Been trying to sell some vinyl albums on FB...crickets!
One hour on CL with the same ad and price...sold!
I don't know why or care. They're leaving tomorrow.

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by Unobtanium-inc

People always ask me, "Why do people sell you all their parts, rather than sell them all themselves?"

This is why, it sucks, it's a pain, and if you already have a job, you don't need this as another.

---Adam

And you offer fair prices as long as it is understood that there has to be meat on the bone for you.
I've been playing this game since the 80s and I appreciate what you do for the community.
Take a bit less to move bulk, I can live with that.

[911heaven]

Originally Posted by touringmandan

Hallelujah, the paypal came through. My faith in my fellow humans has been restored!!

There could be a cricket dichotomy. I got a PM over the weekend from a Pelican asking me is this yours? It was a high end part on domestic auction here which I delisted tonight. We will deal with it like Pelican men if the deal follows through which I have faith it will. Just a nod or bow to Pelican people.

[robertmark]

I got two estimates on a concrete patio. Both companies showed up to give me an estimate. The company I wanted to go with I called and left message they had the job. After two weeks of crickets I called the other guy who said he was so busy he could do it in about two weeks. At the two week mark he showed up and did a wonderful job. Two months later the first guy calls back and says he can work me in that week. I told him the job was complete and beautiful. I don't get it, why show up for an estimate, if you're not going to follow through??????? I don't give a S*** seems to be the new normal!

[cabmandone]

I have some pallet forks on FB marketplace. Kind of interesting in that the majority of my contacts come in the first day or two of the listing. After the first couple days, things go silent. So I have this interested person message me. I give them all the info they need. They ask for my address. I ask them to call me for my address.... Crickets. I have no problem giving out my phone number because I can block callers or change numbers if necessary... but I ain't just givin out my home address to anyone that requests it.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by robertmark

I got two estimates on a concrete patio. Both companies showed up to give me an estimate. The company I wanted to go with I called and left message they had the job. After two weeks of crickets I called the other guy who said he was so busy he could do it in about two weeks. At the two week mark he showed up and did a wonderful job. Two months later the first guy calls back and says he can work me in that week. I told him the job was complete and beautiful. I don't get it, why show up for an estimate, if you're not going to follow through??????? I don't give a S*** seems to be the new normal!

Work is so plentiful right now that customer service goes right out the window. I don't envy folks in construction right now. You have to give out estimates but have to balance your workload too. I think some guys haven't adjusted their estimating for the demand that's out there and too much work is coming in. Still no excuse for piss poor communication though.